Hospitals in France and Switzerland strained by extreme summer heat

French hospitals this summer are coping with a surge of patients, high temperatures and reduced staffing, which has lengthened emergency wait times, postponed non‑urgent procedures and increased reliance on teleconsultations. Authorities advise patients to assess the urgency of their needs, contact their doctors first and use emergency numbers for critical symptoms.

In Geneva, staff at the HUG Trois‑Chêne site staged a protest after indoor temperatures repeatedly reached 30‑40 °C, causing dehydration and fainting among personnel and patients. Unions criticized the limited response – a brief extra break and a weekly ice treat – and demanded proper air‑conditioning. Hospital management announced a dedicated heat‑wave crisis unit and a medium‑to‑long‑term plan to upgrade climate control where technically feasible.